Question about Deceased Loved Ones

[prv31wife]

I was wondering if it is true that our Christian loved ones intercede for us who are still living. Our pastor at our church(Vineyard) says they do but I would like to see scipture evidence of this. Please answer as soon as you can. This has been bothering me for a number of years.

[Brother Ben]

Sister Regine,
I don't think the guy has a scriptural case for such a claim. Christ is our intercessor. I Timothy says there is only one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. I know we are surrounded be a great cloud of witnesses, (Heb. 12) but I think they are spectators, not intercessors.

My two cents worth.
Ben

[mom2fourblessings]

Bro Ben,

I have heard about deceased being spectators, but not sure what I heard, could you when you have a free minute elaborate on this a little bit.. Do you mean they know us and know what is happening in our lives or what? I know there is no sadness in heaven, so do they only share the joys, or what do you mean by they are spectators. I would love to hear more on this.. Please elaborate when you can.

Thanks,
In Christ's Love,
Heather

[George]

You must be very careful about what they teach at the Vineyard Churches. Often they are far from right as I believe they are in this case. As Brother Ben mentioned there is only one mediator between God and man and that is the man Christ Jesus. It is not Mary or St. Whoever or even deceased loved ones. Only Christ!

(Luk 16:26) And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.


Here we see the teaching about the "great gulf" that apparently has been either ignored or overlooked. We must look at the term "great gulf" to determine the extent of its meaning. The Greek word translated as "great gulf" in the English Bible means IMPOSSIBLE interval.

Impossible means impossible. There is such a great chasm between the dead it cannot be overcome. I sincerely believe that although this particular verse is speaking to those in hell it also applies to those of us still on earth. The primary reason for that belief is that I see nowhere in the Bible that I believe to support this notion of intercession by the dead. That really sounds Roman Catholic to me.

In Christ,
George

[Brother Ben]

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Now, to be perfectly honest, this phrase is the only one I can think of that remotely refers to anyone watching us besides the Lord Jesus. And, it would not be out of context for this great cloud of witnesses to be the ones just mentioned in Heb. 11. In other words, [my paraphrase] In light of this cloud of witnesses listed (Heb. 11) let us lay aside every wieght, etc.

I would echo Bro. George's word of caution regarding the Vineyard movement. There are some teaching that have come out of this group that are very unsound and unscriptural and could be spiritually detrimental to you and your family. Error begets error. We appreciate you and your family and only post this in Chirstian love and care.

Bro. Ben

[mavmin]

Shades of Catholicism!!! There is nothing to indicate that our loved ones are watching us. The Hebrews cloud of witnesses doesn't mean they are looking over the portals cheering us on and praying for us. It means that we are so surrounded by examples or witnesses/martyrs of the faith that is as if we are closed in by clouds. Everywhere we look we have those examples so we have no excuse and should be inspired by them to go on strong in our faith getting rid of the weights/sins that keep us from running the race.

How could our loved ones enjoy the presence of God if they were looking back here at the insanity of the world and our less than stellar performance? They would be depressed!

I'd be hunting another church.

[prv31wife]

Thanks you all for you kind words. They are so appreciated.